Last week I wrote about the dangers of accumulating belly fat. Fat in this area suggests fat around your visceral organs (those in your thoracic cavity) which could cause heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

Keeping your weight under control and taking regular exercise are the key to staying healthy, but there are other techniques that can help. Moving the visceral organs around in the spaces they occupy can improve their mobility and therefore their function.

Every time you take a deep breath, you are massaging these organs: think of the diaphragm moving up and down, pressing against them and releasing.

All movements of the spine – flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation – will improve the mobility of the organs in all planes, so moving the spine in all these directions every day is good for the internal functioning of your body as well as the health of your back.

Every organ needs a supply of blood: increasing mobility in the organs can increase blood flow, which brings in nutrients and oxygen and helps remove waste products.

This increased circulation can help each organ function at its best.

Cat/Cow

Flexion and extension, keeping the spine mobile as well as the internal organs with a gentle squeezing and stretching action. Move slowly and continuously with the breath 10 times, inhaling as you look up.

Parighasana (Gate Pose)

Opens up the sides of the spine. Hold the pose for 5 breaths on each side.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

A great back strengthener, this stimulates the internal organs of the abdomen and aids digestion. Take 5 slow complete breaths, allowing your body to gently rock.

Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclined Spinal Twist)

It massages the abdominal organs and encourages the flow of fresh blood to your digestive organs, increasing the health and function of your entire digestive system. Hold each side for 5 slow breaths. Finish by hugging your thighs to the chest each time you exhale 3 times and then rest in Savasana.